Mobile Malware Threats Getting Steadily Worse

Malware has always been a top concern for CIOs, but according to a new study from Juniper Networks, the number of mobile threats impacting the corporate world is skyrocketing. What's even more disconcerting, those threats are increasingly being designed to generate income for malware creators, meaning cybercriminals are finding mobile operating systems to be solid sources of income. If that ability to generate income remains strong, it spells even more trouble for consumers and the corporate world. "There's no doubt mobility will continue to be a pervasive and disruptive force across every industry," said Troy Vennon, director of Juniper Networks’ Mobile Threat Center, in a statement. "We have found that it has created an easy business opportunity for malware developers who are becoming savvy in their approach to quickly turn profits in a rapidly growing market. We anticipate that similar to the evolution of PC-based threats, mobile attacks will continue to increase and become more sophisticated in the coming years." But before those issues in the future arise, the past is enough to scare just about anyone. In its latest Mobile Threat Center study, which includes an analysis of 1.85 million mobile applications and vulnerabilities, Juniper Networks has discovered that the situation is already very dire.

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Where the Threats Are Coming FromNot surprisingly, 60% of all mobile malware originates from China or Russia.

Don Reisinger is a freelance technology columnist. He started writing about technology for Ziff-Davis' Gearlog.com. Since then, he has written extremely popular columns for CNET.com, Computerworld, InformationWeek, and others. He has appeared numerous times on national television to share his expertise with viewers. You can follow his every move at http://twitter.com/donreisinger.